I was finally able to make contact with the person that Brandy named as the source for the cuttings of the group of Black Maderia cuttings starts  I discussed with her about not being correct in Fall of 2013, and which I believe are what many of you received. He did confirm that he did send cuttings to JF&E. I am not going to identify them here in respect of privacy but will share part of that discussion here. They are very knowledge about growing fruits in general, figs as well as many other plants, but probably not as obsessed with figs as most of us, and I really enjoyed speaking with them.

They have never grown Black Maderia, but have heard of the fig. I don’t believe he has any fig from Maderia that he is aware of, so maybe JF&E confused the actual source of the cutting in our conversation or the mixup occurred at some other point. They did not recall exactly what cuttings he did send to JF&E, but he is quite familiar with LSU figs and lives in LA, and when I asked about possible black fig suspects LSU Scotts Black Name did come up, but I have not did that compare myself yet as a possibility.  

JF&E does have that potted mother tree from USDA UC Davis, and has put out valid BM trees. The small unhealthy looking tree I picked with the earlier start date in that fall 2013 visit as I stated in prior posts is dead on to my USDA UC Davis tree.  I wish now I would have picked up one of the others just for comparison.  So some of you might have received the true BM. Really a pretty easy call if you have ever observed a true BM, as the other plant is quite different from what I have seen. Just an idea but I believe Dennis thought his looked correct and I believe he stated ordering the last 3 they had available. Maybe those last couple trees left that had been picked over for lack of vigor and generally less healthy looking were true and showing the character more  consistent with most BM.  

I grow about 10 cultivars. Except for couple cultivars this is based in just 1 or 2 years tasting most, so only my experience so far. I spent half my youth in fenceline large trees of I assume Rubra I love the tart/sweet combination of Mulberry. So ones that are just sweet are bland to me, but maybe not to others.  Really Mullberry an ignored gem by many that may have only tasted a bland Alba.

Morus Nigra (Black Mulberry) is pretty universally considered the best tasting species, but it limited where it grows well. I have a Black Beauty alive still, but it isn’t real vigorous but did survive 0F last year. Morus Nigra doesn’t like my Southeast climate, many nursery state this so no surprise.

Pakistan great taste large size, but not real hardy. I lost both my trees last winter one was fairly established with about a 4 inch diameter trunk.

Illinois Everbearing very popular very good taste is a hybrid between Rubra X Alba. Cold hardy and put out fruit over a long period. Very good for Grazer like me that likes to eat straight from tree on daily basis, maybe not best if you want large harvest at one time to process. Silk Hope supposed to be similar I want to try it.

Shangri La Is not white it is a dark Berry like all other I have. Very good  if not allowed to ripen fully while berry still is shiny, if fully ripe sweet with no tart Early fruiting in year for me.

Middleton very similar to Shangri La maybe larger and better but last year was 2^nd year plant from cutting and 1^st fruiting so things may change

Girardi Dwarf. Really unique plant. I have seen spelled about 3 ways but it is a true dwarf very close node spacing so compact and lots of fruit packed on small package. Fruit is good as well. Seems very hardy. More folks should look at this one as besides Nigra which often has a bush form, most Mulberry  grow large and  vigorous and lots of pruning to keep fruit in reach.   Girardi taste still very good but maybe not the wow of some, but those of you limited on space here she is.

Kokuso No. 20  looking forward to trying this one this Year have heard good things This will be 2^nd year from cutting.

Wassica  Mine seems very upright growth,  trying to prune and spread her out this year   Last year was 1^st only tasted limlted fruit.

I have a couple unknowns new this year as well.  Propagated trees from Just Fruits and Exotics that were on sale as had lost Labels so will try a determine when they fruit based on their offerings.

As far as wild trees almost all Rubra trees taste good. Rubra is the only native Mulberry to U.S, but you are almost more likely to find Naturalized Alba trees whose taste varies from very bland to pretty good. Alba and Rubra hybridize so there are likely a lot hybrids of them out there as both cultivars seed about freely . Alba is a pest tree in many areas

Aaron,

When you post inaccurate information repeatedly as you have in the past you put yourself in front of the committee. I have avoided any discussion with you since you joined this forum.  I actually thought you had improved on your behavior in recent months, hopefully just having a relapse, but your history here is a case of arrogance ignorance and untruthfulness coupled with a smart mouth. When you post questionable information as an absolute, why are you surprised when people question it? Why don’t respond to questioning of what you state, as opposed to names or smart remarks. As far as your truthfulness you can edit your posts as you have in the past, but people remember what they have read.

While a short concise instruction set is best for a beginner, I am pretty sure you would never gain a consensus from members senior or rookie on many points. There are many ways to successful root and nurture a fig.  Some of the nastiest discussions on this forum have origin to rooting methods, soil science etc… There are basic principles that I think most agree on concerning moisture and temperature management and such, but it is half comical and half frustrating to watch a discussion on methods that can both work and are 95% the same in principle create such an uproar. I have seen rookie’s root 10 cuttings with 100% on their 1^st attempt and argue to no limit that what they followed was the best way ever, even to points that likely had little impact on results. Many folks have probably had experiences like myself where it seems like although I tried to follow exactly the methods that before provided good results only to watch in frustration as I lost rooted cuttings and trying to figure out what I did different. While I appreciate the desire for black and white there is not one black and white and there is a lot of gray swirling about. It may be overwhelming trying to decide on a rooting manner most will likely settle on method that works for them. Culture on growing an established plant is more straight forward. Figs are tough plants and if you lose one there is normally a pretty clear indicator. Just my thoughts but I don’t think you will see one collaborative document that everyone agrees with as we have too many egos and personalities.  But I do hope you come up with another document to reference and debated discussion is good as well just hoping it remains civil and respectful.